Australia Will Be There

Australia Will Be There or Auld Lang Syne - Australia Will Be There is an Australian patriotic song written in 1915 as Australian troops were sent abroad to fight the German and Ottoman forces in Europe and the Middle East. The song was composed by Walter William Francis, a Welshman who immigrated to Australia in 1913 due to bad health.^[1]

History

The song is one of the more well-known WW1 patriotic songs known in Australia today.^[2] It was one of the songs that Australian troops marched to on their way to fight in battle.

Lyrics

The song's lyrics makes reference to HMAS Sydney's sinking of the SMS Emden the year prior.

There are lots and lots of arguments

Going on today

As to whether dear old England

Should be brought into the fray

But all right-thinking people

Know well we had to fight

For the Kaiser’s funny business

It wants some putting right.

Rally 'round the banner of your country

Take the field with brothers o'er the foam

On land or sea

Wherever you be

Keep your eye on Germany

But England, home and beauty

Have no cause to fear

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

No, no, no, no, no!

Australia will be there

You have heard about the Emden ship

Cruising all around

She was sinking British merchant men

Where'er they could be found

But one fine morning early

The Sydney hove in sight

She trained her guns upon them

And the German said ‘goodnight’